Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-15
MASONIC MUTUAL BENEFIT.

a Ii
ton Last Night-The Graded Assess
ment Change Discussed at Length
1he ResuIts-Good Condition of the
Finances.
The thirteenth annual meeting of the
members of the Masonic Mutual Benefit
association was held in the Masonic Temple
last night, commencing at eight o'clock, the
president, Worshipful Brother Eli S. Quin-
tard, in the chair.
The secretarys report shows that there has
been falling off in membership, but the
association is in excellent financial condition.
The assessments have not been so heavy as
last year and there has been less number of
deaths. Our current expenses have been but
50, 479.47 against So, 660.22 for the previous
year; we have paid in death claims but $685.,
600 as against $500 during 1885; we have
increased our contingent fund 50, 3S1.10,
while the year before there was paid from
this fund in death claims 81, 100.
The real cause of the falling off in
membership apparently is that there
are so many associations offering in
ducements to these men to unite with them
at a less cost, both in the rate and number
of assessments, that the inducements are ac-
cepted and consequently a severance of their
mem bership with us. The question natural
ly has arisen how we stop this loss and
turn the tide in the other direction, retain
ing those we already have and inducing 9TH
ers to Join us. There is but one solution
that is to meet fire with fire, or
in other words to offer these young
men equally good inducements as
other associations do, and give them their
benefits for less money than it is costing
them at present. The only way left open
for us to do is to grade the assessments &C
Nv {Io
young men so heavily as to drive them out
of the association. The directors appointed
committee consisting of mem
bers of the association, not confined to the
official board, to take this matter iGto con-
sideration This committee gave the sub
jeet considerable attention and came to the
conclusion that the graded plan was the
most Just and equitable. After
arriving at this conclusion, the next question
was to arrive at proper plan for the
consideration of the members OF the assocla-
ton. After getting the experience of the
most successful associations they adopted a
scale which was mapped out in a circular
sent to the members in December last, and
which is before you in detail this evening
for your consideration
Experience, as shown by the law of aver
ages, proves that the members of any asso
citation, on the assessment plan, are paying
more for their benefits derived than it costs
to carry them, while the older members are
paying less. The question is whether we do
not endanger the interests of the association
by imposing this UNI just burden upon ages
younger than our own and reap a benefit at
their expense. There is no reason to doubt
that our association would have been in bet
ter condition SO far as members are concern
ed had this plan been adopted before or had
we started on this plan.
The members of this association have had
their insurance for about .01 per cent, or, in
other words, the insurance has been at an
average cost Of SO "a for 81 900 per annum.
This might have been continued if the
younger element would remain with or young
risks had continued to unite with us; but so
long as they can do better on the graded plan
they will avail themselves of it.
We have one of the best associations in
the country and no effort should be spared
to keep it SO.
Over half a million dollars have been paid
in death claims, and this at an annual cost
for the entire running expenses of but So
cents per member, OF 43 cents for 81 900
benefits; and the assessments for the pay
ment of death claims have not been burden
some, while we have safely deposited and on
hand $40, 095.27 to meet contingencies that
may arise.
Total age of members at close of last year -. M.
Total age of % new members. So
Add one year for average membership. -. 2625
Total .................... 1854
Less sgs q g dssss5sd members Isl
- 454s
Iotal -............ -. 10000
The amount paid by members who have
withdrawn or been suspended was $31, 304. 40.
The report of the treasurer, John P. Tut
tie, is as follows:
Cash balance in my hands per last
Received from secretary during the year saoo5 GO
SOL 1923 81
Paid orders of the board of directors. 1854 10
Leaving balance on hand .St2 2s9 40
The report of the finance committee is as
follows:
RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand per last report contingent
Cash on hand per last report assessment
Amount received from fees ............ 449 90
Amount received from reinstatements - IFS 90
Amount received from interest, ........... 80 90
Total Observation-Disclosures. ......... s91 ,sa8 e.
DISBURSEMENTS.
Amount paid death claims ........ $50. SOC 600 90
Amount paid for current expenses. 2479 a
Cash in Contingent fund. .......... 1905 ~
Cash assessment fund ..-...--...-....... 2,194 %
Total ............. ............... sol, s28 81
Assets amounting to................... AZ, 2s9 40
the total membership of the lodges OF the
State is z, 316 and the total membership of
the association is g, 587. The resident mem
bers in New Haven number 760. Sums of
$4,000 each were disbursed by the deaths of
the following members of the association
during the past year: J. S. Newell, Fl.
Foulds, B. F. Cook, ]. B. Littlefieid, E. NJ.
COPYRIGHT, L. P. Morehouse, N. Andruss
jr., E. Fritz, G. w. Hall, E. G. Monson, c.
P Drake, J. Selden, G. F. Whitaker, J. W.
Bradley, E. J. Allen, II. G.. Sheffield, j. A.
Woodward, W. Marshall, D. Miles, L. D.
How'd, F. o. Dame, L. S. Strickland, f. A.
Chase, w. Y. Otis, E. N. Thomas, w. E.
Fitch, w. A. Langley, M. NOLAN, w. J.
Goodsell, II. H. Roath.
The graded plan of assessments was adopt
ed at a late hour after the matter had been
thoroughly discussed by the supporters and
n-supporters of the plan. Hitherto the
limit of benefit was 1900, but now a mem
Der can be insured for either 81 900, 50, 900
or So, 900 benefit.
The following two sections in article vi
explains the new third class which was
formed:
ton shall comprise the first class, known as the
same amount when assessment is levied
Sec 2. In order to further the benefits of this
association, other classes are hereby established to
with benefits for So 900 in class A and 81 900 in
class 3, which shall b3 under the control and man
agement Of the officers of this association, and
governed by the same bylaws now in force, SO far
applicable. and such new bylaws may be
adopted for the government of classes and B.
In article VIII, sec. 8, is the following
graded plan of assessments:
An assessment shall be levied upon members in
classes and B according to their ages and the
amount of his benefit. indicated and rated in the
following table:
Glass A
C1assA Glass B. and B.
$4,000. $1,000 $4,000
day, :. .,. -, rs 50 81 os
On and after his Both birth
day and before his 10th
On and after his 10th birth
day and before his 5Oth
birthday ...:...:.:..:- rs So IS
On and after his 50th birth
birthday 800. .........H..... so 75 rs
On and after his 55th birth
day. rs SO ? 60
The funds of the first class, it is provided,
are to be kept separate from classes A and B
and are to be used only for the benefit of the
classes from which the funds accumulate.
The fees for membership in the association
shall be as follows: For each 81 900 benefit,
So. Semi annual dues shall consist of 81 in
advance, payable the first day of April
in horS -,